Bad timing for Somali-born day-care owner running for Minnesota legislature

Abdi Daisane, a Somali-born day-care owner, has recently announced his bid for the state legislature in Minnesota, despite the timing being less than ideal. His decision to run comes at a time when his community and business field have been embroiled in a massive billion-dollar fraud scandal.

Daisane, who is not implicated in the alleged fraud that has rocked the state, declared his candidacy on Christmas Eve, aiming for the 2026 midterm elections after facing defeat in his previous attempts in 2024 and 2016. His platform has always included affordable childcare as a key issue, reflecting his background as the owner of Blooming Kids Child Center in St. Cloud, which he established in 2018 to address the need for early childhood education.

However, Daisane’s day-care business has not been without its own share of challenges. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has cited numerous violations of state requirements at Blooming Kids Child Center since 2021. These violations range from inadequate medical information for children to staffing shortages and poorly maintained equipment. While Daisane has taken responsibility for these infractions, he has also called for state intervention to address the broader issues facing childcare centers, such as low pay and lack of benefits that contribute to staffing shortages.

The timing of Daisane’s campaign is particularly sensitive given the ongoing fraud scandal that has rocked Minnesota’s Somali community. Dozens of individuals have been accused of defrauding government aid programs meant for the needy, with some allegedly operating day-care centers as fronts for fraudulent activities. The scandal has raised concerns about the misuse of taxpayer dollars and has drawn attention to the need for greater oversight of government assistance programs.

Despite the challenges facing his community, Daisane remains committed to his political aspirations. As a Democratic–Farmer–Labor candidate, he hopes to represent District 14A in the upcoming election. Born in Somalia and forced to flee the civil war there for the US, Daisane brings a unique perspective to the political arena. While the fraud scandal looms large over Minnesota, Daisane’s campaign underscores the importance of addressing issues of childcare, education, and community development in the state.